Latest Playoff Odds for the Diamondbacks

With just nine games to go, take a look at the odds that D-backs sneak into the playoffs as an NL Wild Card seed.

There are just nine games left in the MLB regular season for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the majority of the MLB. That equates to roughly a week and a half left as the season ends on October 1st. The Arizona Diamondbacks currently are in the second National League Wild Card spot out of three. They have a record of 81-72 as they spend their off day in New York before their three-game series against the Yankees. They are 2.5 games back of the first Wild Card spot which is held by the Philadelphia Phillies. They're 1.5 games ahead of the Chicago Cubs who have a record of 79-73. Plus, the D-backs hold a crucial tie-breaker with them.

Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins are on the outskirts looking in sitting just a 1/2 game behind the Cubs. They sit just 0.004 percentage points behind the Cubs. The Reds are behind them sitting a game out of a Wild Card spot. Those two are important to keep out of the Wild Card picture as the D-backs don't have a tiebreaker with them. This means that if they tied them in the record, those teams would advance instead of Arizona.

The Giants are still on the periphery with a 76-76 record and three games back of the Cubs' Wild Card spot. The D-backs could clinch a playoff spot in eight games or sooner if the teams behind them lose like they did on Wednesday. The Cubs, Marlins, Reds, and Giants all lost which helped the D-backs playoff odds tremendously. 

Speaking of those playoff odds, there are two main sites that create playoff odds and give a good rundown on the chances that each team has to make the playoffs. I figured now would be an appropriate time to review them considering that each game right now is similar to a playoff game. This season will come down to the last couple of days to see who will make the MLB Playoffs in the National League. The Braves and Dodgers have locked up their spots. But, who will come from the NL Wild Card?

The first site is Baseball-Reference. I've included a breakdown of the NL Wild Card contenders and where the site has them going at the end of the season.

Jake Oliver

They are conservative about the Diamondbacks' odds and give a high belief in the Reds and Marlins' chances of making it in. They also have the Phillies spot locked up regardless if they are in the first or second spot. Meanwhile, Fan Graphs is the other one that does playoff odds. They are far more favorable about the D-backs playoff chances.

Jake Oliver

FanGraphs has a very high likelihood of the Arizona Diamondbacks obtaining the second Wild Card spot and facing the Phillies in the NL Wild Card playoff series. They predict that the Marlins will just barely sneak above the Cubs for the third playoff spot. Meanwhile, both sites believe that the Reds and Giants have very little hope for the playoffs.

The one surprising aspect about FanGraphs' odds is that the D-backs have the hardest schedule going forward. They have three games against the Yankees, three games against the White Sox, and three games against the first-place AL West Houston Astros. The D-backs will certainly have to prove that they deserve a spot in the MLB Playoff race for the World Series. It can be done though and they are currently on a five-game winning streak. That streak has given them the ability to have such a high percentage of making the playoffs.

Be sure to watch the Arizona Diamondbacks battle their way for the playoffs over the next 10 days. Plus, make sure to get out to Chase Field for the final series of the season as they take on the Astros. They will need the energy and support to ensure they get a Wild Card spot.